Baby ringtail possum found clinging to Melbourne cat

A baby ringtail possum has been discovered clinging to a cat "for dear life" in a Melbourne backyard.

A Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) worker found the tiny native animal after hearing his cat Oscar meowing loudly outside his Niddrie home.

The baby possum had become separated from its mother and seemingly jumped aboard Oscar the cat for "warmth and company", an MFB spokeswoman said.

"Oscar wasn’t thrilled but was gentle with the baby possum," she said.

The possum was then delicately removed from the cat and taken to a vet, who contacted wildlife carers.

The baby is recovering well and will be cared for until it is ready to be released back into the wild.